Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts - hundreds flee to safety!

Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts - hundreds flee to safety!

On June 6, 2025, a dramatic volcanic eruption of Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala occurred, leading to widespread evacuations. Loud vienna.at More than 500 people were brought to safety after the volcano started spewing smoke and ash. Civil defense authorities reported the evacuations on Thursday evening (local time), triggering memories of the devastating 2018 eruption in which at least 215 people died and many went missing.

The Volcán de Fuego, located about 35 kilometers from Guatemala City, is considered one of the most active volcanoes in Central America with a height of 3,763 meters. Those affected included residents from five communities who willingly followed the evacuation call, such as lessentiel.lu reported. As the volcano's smoke plume reached a height of over 7,000 meters, protective measures were taken, including closing a highway in the area and suspending classes at 39 schools.

Experiences from the past

Previous experiences with volcanic eruptions illustrate the dangers posed by such natural events. The 2018 eruption is a striking example of the devastating consequences that a volcanic eruption can have in this region. Not only was the number of deaths high, but the number of missing people also highlights the risk that residents are constantly exposed to.

Juan Laureano, a civil protection spokesman, announced that further evacuations were likely as volcanic activity continued to increase. Wilver Guerra from the municipality of El Porvenir also observed an increase in the volcano's activity and confirmed the need for an immediate response from the authorities.

Volcanic activity in Guatemala

Guatemala lies in the Circum-Pacific Ring of Fire and has a total of 33 potentially active volcanoes. The Volcán de Fuego is one of the three permanently active volcanoes, alongside Pacaya and Santiaguito. Seismic activity is strong in this region, which is due to Guatemala's tectonic location, which lies on the border of three tectonic plates, such as volcanoes.net explained. These geological features make Guatemala vulnerable to both volcanic and seismic activity, with catastrophic earthquakes causing devastating losses throughout the country's history.

The situation in Guatemala highlights the urgency of developing appropriate preventive measures and emergency plans to better assist local residents in times of natural disasters. Today's evacuation is a direct response to the alarming volcanic activity and shows the importance of early action to save lives.